Latest column: Some valuable advice from coupon-users

There is no better place to turn for couponing tips and savings wisdom than clippers themselves.

Last week, I asked readers of my blog to share their single-greatest couponing steal or money-saving strategy. I solicited the tips as part of the contest for the Coupon Magic Organizer. The winner of the binder, chosen at random, is “CohoesMom5,” who offered this:

I make a detailed list before I leave for the store and include the sale price, and if I have a coupon. I pull all the coupons I plan to use and put them in the front pocket of my small accordion file (from the $1 section of Target). I bring the entire accordion file in case I find something in the clearance section, but have all my planned coupons in the front of the file.

Here are a few more to consider:

My best tip is to plan ahead. I keep a running inventory of my stockpile, so I know what products I am running low on. Since sales and coupons tend to run on approximately three-month cycles, if I have less than three months worth, I know I need to take advantage of the next sale/coupon for the product. I also take about an hour every Sunday to plan my trip. I review the ads, clip coupons, check savings blogs and do a quick double-check for online coupons and/or mail-in rebates on any products I plan to buy that week. Taking this extra time has cut my shopping costs 30 to 75 percent.

— MM

My tip is to get the Sunday paper on Saturday and start combing through the ads, clipping/printing coupons and organizing my plan of attack. I keep lists on my chalkboard of what items are needed at what store (based on best price); if I have a coupon (and can it be stacked with a store coupon?); how many items need to be purchased with that coupon, and (I) organize the list by aisle, by the different stores.

— Lizzytist

A tip someone once told was to not be afraid to get rainchecks. If the item that is on sale is out, go to the customer service counter and ask for a raincheck on the item.

— Julie

My favorite couponing tip that saves week after week is doing “Ad Match” at Walmart (if you find a lower advertised price on an identical product, Walmart will match it, right at the register). On Sunday, I clip coupons, get all of my grocery ads from the paper and circle all of the sale items I want from other stores (like 88 cents per pound grapes and $2/5 boxes of Kashi, etc.). Then, I go to Walmart very early in the morning the following Saturday, get my items and then do the Ad Match at checkout. I end up saving a lot of money doing the match, but then on top of that, I use my coupons and get really sweet deals.

— Rita

My favorite tactic for couponing is to find products that are under the amount of coupon and use the overage to purchase other products that I need that I do not have a coupon for. My motto is now “free is for me”.

— LAF

You don’t have to use every single coupon that you have. If it is expiring, don’t worry, another one will come out again to use with a great sale. You can save money this way by waiting for the great sale to use your coupon with, instead of just buying the product just to use that coupon before it expires.

Cascadian Farm’s Organic Granola: On sale for $2.99 at Price Chopper. I used a $1 off one Cascadian product clipping, paired with Price Chopper’s double any dollar coupon promotion last week. Final cost: 99 cents.

Oral B toothbrushes, 4 pack: On sale for $5.99 at Target. I used a $1/1 Oral B toothbrush coupon. I received a $5 Target gift (due to an ad misprint the retailer made good on). Final cost: Absolutely free.